Several workers were told to evacuate from a laboratory was engulfed in flames in Maddington at the start of the month.

The fire was first reported at approximately 8am. The fire was believed to have started in a small filter room of Genalysis Laboratory on Alloa Road.

Approximately 50 employees were directed to immediately to leave the building.

Twenty firefighters made it to the blaze ,which was eventually extinguished by 9.20am.

A DFES fire investigations officer on site stated that the small blaze resulted in an approximately $40,000 damage and had caused suspected lead contamination of both air and water. However, the spokesman confirmed that contaminant level was within safe levels and guidelines will be followed as staff continues to monitor the situation.

Firefighters stated that they will remain on site in the event of flare-ups, while the pollution response crew from the Department of Environment Regulation is monitoring water runoff.The cause of the fire is currently being determined